Cigar lighter



Jan. 13, 1942. A, A, JOHNSON 2,270,056

clem LIGHTER Filed June 10, 1936 34 INVENTOR Patented Jan. 13, 1942 CIGAR LIGHTER Arthur A. Johnson, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to Automatic Devices Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application June 10, 1936, Serial No. 84,401

29 Claims.

This invention relates to cigar lighters, and more particularly, to devices of this character as used in automobiles and elsewhere.

Lighters for cigars, cigarettes and the like, of the kind just indicated, commonly comprise a holding device, in the form of a well and electrically served by connections to a source of current such that in the well there is normally a gap in an otherwise complete circuit, and an igniting unit in the form of a plug adapted to be seated in and removed from the Well for storage and use respectively, such unit having a heating element and carrying contacts for allowing the unit, when in one position in the well, to be noninterferent with such circuit gap, but for closing said gap, when the unit is in another position in the Well, thereby to place said heating element in said circuit for heating the latter to incandescence.

In previously proposed lighters of this kind, thermostatically-controlled means have been provided for moving the unit within the socket s as simultaneously to break the energizing circuit for the heating element, and thus to operate on the attainment by said element of a predetermined temperature, usually one of incandescence.

According to the present invention, however, while a thermostatically-controlled means is provided for functioning following a manual thrust of the unit inwardly of the Well from shallow or storage position to deep or operative position, and then to place and maintain the heating element of the unit in circuit with the source of current supply until said element is heated to incandescence; such means is not employed to hold the unit in any particular position in the well.

An object of the invention is to provide a cigar lighter operating as just described, wherein, after the thermostatioally-controlled means has operated to place the heating element of the unit in its energizing circuit, the unit is returned to the shallow or storage position, and during such return the element remains in the energizing circuit. By this arrangement, the unit as soon as heated, is given that greater degree of protrusion from the holding device characteristic of its normal setting in the shallow or storage position in the well, and hence a setting most convenient for removal of the unit from the well when the heating element becomes incandescent. Also, the heating element is heated during travel of the unit from its deep positionl to its setting last mentioned; and at the instant when the heating element attains incandescence, the unit is in said setting.

In addition, since there is no movement of the igniting unit upon functioning of the thermalresponsive means to open the heating circuit, there has been obviated by this invention the 'possibility of said unit being inadvertently thrust out of the socket of the holder upon such functioning.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved means for sounding an audible signal, so that a user of the lighter will be informed that the igniting unit has been properly actuated to eiect heating of the lighter, and also so that a user will be informed that the lighter is in condition for use.

A feature of the invention is the provision of audible signaling means as above, wherein functioning of the signal (after the initial actuating movement of the igniting unit) is positively prevented unless the heating element is properly incandescent for use.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of audible signaling means which operates over` a comparatively short interval of time if the igniting unit is immediately withdrawn when ready for use, and which operates over a comparatively longer interval ii' the igniting unit is left in the holder kor carrier after it is ready for use.

Various other objects and advantages will be hereinafter referred to or become apparent.

In the drawing, which shows one form of the invention, that at present preferred:

Figure 1 is an axial sectional view, with the removable igniting unit partially broken away and partially in section, shown in shallow 0r storage position in the socket.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the unit just after reaching its deep position in the socket to close the energizing circuit, as the result of a thumb thrust by a user of the device.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Figure l, but showing the unit returned to shallow or storage position but still with the energizing circuit closed as in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the unit in the position of Fig. 3 and further showing the thermostatically-controlled means as having operated to break the energizing circuit following the attainment of incandescence by the heating element following the arrival of the unit at the location shown in Fig. 3.

The cigar lighter of the present invention, in the exemplary embodiment thereof shown in the drawing, is of the so-called well type, for use in automobiles, and comprises a socket-carrying base member or carrier I0 for attachment to a panel Il of an automobile, and a removable igniting unit I2 which is normally supported by the carrier, but which may be mechanically and electrically disconnected for manual transportation Within the car and for handling by various occupants therein for the purpose of lighting cigars, cigarettes and the like.

The removable igniting unit l2, as the parts are shown, ordinarily rests in the carrier I0 so as slightly to protrude therefrom as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4.

The carrier I0 as shown comprises a sleeve I3 forming a deep socket I4, such sleeve having at its inner end an integral transverse wall I5. This sleeve is adapted to pass through a suitable aperture in the panel II of the instrument board, and is held in this position by a cap I5 screwed onto the outer end of the sleeve. One or more tongues Il are lanced from the carrier, so that when the cap I6 is screwed up tight, the carrier I0 is clamped between such cap and the outwardly canted ends of said tongues, thus securely to mount the carrier on the panel II. Any suitable form of holding means may be substituted for that shown herein if desired.

The carrier I0 is preferably formed of sheet metal, and serves as a conductive element or the grounded portion on the circuit for the energizing current when the removable igniting unit is in deep or operative position in the socket I4.

The carrier III carries a contact I9 suitably insulated from the carrier. This Contact in its present preferred form is part of a thermostat with the latter a bimetallic structure as shown; the metals of dilering coefficients of expansion being so arranged that, when the thermostat is heated, said structure becomes deformed as shown in Fig. 4, from its normal or cold condition shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. As here shown, said structure is a strip-like plate having each of its two arms I9 bent to provide a pair of spring catches or detents I9a.

The part I9, hereinafter called the thermostat, is conveniently mounted at a central disk portion, rivet-fashion, on a metal tment 20, forming a rigid mount for the thermostat when screwed up tight on a reduced threaded end of a plunger 2|. This plunger has a pistonenlargement 2Ia, here carrying a kerf as shown, so that said enlargement is also a screw-head, to facilitate assembling of the parts. This plunger and its piston-enlargement are reciprocable in axially aligned bores within a metal cylinder 22; the parts being normally urged t0 the position shown in Fig. l by an expansile coil spring 23 sleeving the plunger.

The cylinder 22 is fixed in a shouldered metal sleeve or collar 24, but maintained out of contact therewith and with the carrier II) by the insulation shown.

Said cylinder is rigidly secured in collar 24, by application of a washer 25 and a primary nut 26, the exterior of the cylinder being provided with a thread as shown for tightening said nut. A feed wire 21 is connected to the cylinder 22 by a terminal clip 28, the latter being clamped in place by tightening up a secondary nut 2B on the thread of the cylinder.

Thus, the carrier I0 is provided with Contact members (the socket sleeve I3 and the thermostat I9) terminating at both sides of the car circuit and insulated from each other.

The removable igniting unit is shown as including a handle or knob 3l] and a main section extended rearwardly from said knob, these parts being of suitable insulating material, and together presenting a tubular structure providing a light-tunnel, as shown at I2C, and extending through the knob to a translucent insert I2a. On the inner end of such main section of the unit is screwed a metal cap 3I, the outer cylindricity of which ts the socket I4, as does that of an aligning collar 32 desirably ol a lighter weight material than that of the cap 3l as indicated. Between the collar 32 and a cylindrical knob-adjacent part I2b, is a portion of reduced diameter to provide an annular space for the accommodation of an expansile coil spring 33. Such spring is housed within a metal sleeve 34, provided with an inwardly extending flange 34a entering said annular chamber and with an outwardly extending annular ilange 34h adapted to engage the front of cap I6 while the unit is in the socket I4 and also adapted to be engaged by an annular bead Sd basal to the knob when the unit is manually thrust from the position shown in Fig. l to that shown in Fig. 2.

A heating element 35 is positioned within a metal cup 36, and such cup is insulatedly mounted on metal cap 3| by means of a stud 3l headedover at one end as shown and carrying at its other end a slotted or kered head 3io. This heating element is, in the present case, in the form of a spirally wound resistance wire or band connected at its outer end to the periphery of the cup 35 and at its inner end set in 'the slot of head 37a of stud 3l. Thus, the cup 35 is insulated from the cap 3i, except by way of the heating element 35.

The carrier-sleeve I3 has a tongue 38 lanced therefrom, and resiliently biased inwardly of the socket I4, so as to make good Contact with the cap 3l, not only when the unit is thrust to the position shown in Fig. 2, but while the unit is returning from that position to the one shown in the other views and while the unit in the last-mentioned position.

Normally, the plunger 2l and the 'thermostat I9 are held by the spring 23 in the positions shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. This spring 23, however, as will be noted, is less powerful than the spring 33 here forming a part of the unit structure.

For the purpose of preventing excessive cornpressive stress on the spring 23, the cylinder 22 is provided intermediate its ends with an internal shoulder' 22a. which limits the forward movement of the plunger 2l by engaging the piston enlargement 2m when said plunger is in the advanced position shown in Fig. 3. Thus, if the igniting unit, for any reason whatever, should be removed from the holder before release of the cup 3G by the detent I9a, the force on the plunger will be assumed by the enlargement 2I, in engaging the shoulder 22a and the spring 23 will not be excessively compressed.

According to the invention there is provided improved means for causing an audible signal to sound, first during actuation oi the igniting unit to elect energization of the heating element, and, second, when the lighter is in readiness for use upon completion of energization of the heating element, and a feature of this arrangement is: that positively no such audible signal can be given until after the heating element circuit is broken so as not to automatically reclose and therefore no such audible signal can be given before the lighter is completely ready for use, as evidenced by full energization of the element.

As shown, the sleeve I3 carries an electrical contact 39 in the form of a screw secured by nuts to said carrier and suitably insulated therefrom, the head of the screw 39 being disposed within the carrier so that, when the thermostat I9 is deformed by heat and is in open-circuit position, the lower detent Ia will Contact with the screw.

As the thermostat cools, the detent will separate from the screw-head again.

The screw 39 is connected by a wire 40 to one terminal of a buzzer 4I which latter is `suitably attached to the outside of the sleeve I3, the other terminal of the buzzer being grounded on the carrier.

Operation Normally, the unit is in the carrier I9 as shown in Fig. 1. When it is desired to bring the heating element 35 of the unit to incandescence, the unit is thrust inwardly of the carrier, -as by applying thumb pressure, as indicated, thereby compressing the spring 33, until the unit is sent to its deep or operative position shown in Fig. 2. Thus, contact is made between the thermostat I9 and the cup 36 of the unit, and such cup is seized and held by the thermostat. A circuit is now completed through the heating element 35 from the supply wire 2'I through the bushing or sleeve 22, stud 2 I, the tment 2U, the thermostat, the cup 36, the heating element 35, the stud 3i, the carrier sleeve I3, and the panel I I, to ground.

Also, during engagement of the thermostat I9 with the cup 36, the lower detent I9a will have contacted with any again separated from the screw 39, therefore giving a momentary audible signal as the igniting unit is depressed to the limit of its inward movement, and this signal can be taken as an indication that the thermostat has been picked up by the cup.

As soon as the manual pressure on the outer end of the unit is released, the parts will assume the positions shown in Fig. 3, due to the spring 33 on the unit overbearing the spring 23 which latter tends to maintain the plunger 2| retracted as in Fig. 1. Nevertheless, the circuit just described remains intact, the thermostat I9 traveling with the unit and retaining its seizure of and its contact with cup 36. The unit has now returned, it will be observed, to its normally partially protruded position.

Upon the heating element attaining incandescence, the thermostat I9 deforms as indicated in Fig. 4, due to heat absorbed by the thermostat from the heat set-up in the element 35; which deformation of the thermostat breaks the energizing circuit and causes the thermostat to relinqush its seizure of the cup 36, thereby allowing the spring 33 to retract the plunger 2l to its normal position.

Upon retraction of the plunger, contact will be made between the detent I9a and the screw 39, since the thermostat is still deformed, and the buzzer 4I will give an audible signal to notify the user that the lighter is ready for use, this signal being discontinued after a suitably short interval by separation of the detent from the screw due to return of the thermostat to normal shape, as it cools off.

It should be noted that, since discontinuance of the signal is dependent on cooling of the thermostat, a longer signal will be given by the buzzer if the ignition unit is not immediately Withdrawn, than would be given if the unit were quickly withdrawn, because of the heat exchanging relation between the heating element and the thermostat.

Of course, the quick snap of the thermostat as impelled by the spring 23, will also result in an audible click-signal, regardless of whether or not the buzzer 4I and screw contact 39 are used. Also, upon the heating element attaining incandescence, a visual signal is given at the translucent insert I2a at the outer end of the unit, This insert will become illuminated by the glow of incandescence of the heating element, such glow transmitted by way of suitable openings, one of which is shown at I2bl in Fig. l, between the heating element and the light-tunnel I2c within the unit.

On the occurrence of such visual and/or audible signals, the person desiring to use the unit for lighting a cigar, cigarette or the like, removes the unit from its holder; and, having used the removed unit as a lighter, returns the same to its holder and to its shallow or storage position therein as shown in Fig. 1. In returning the unit fully to that position, there will be no likelihood of inadvertent deeper insertion of the unit, because as soon as the unit is fully in shallow or storage position, any attempt to thrust the unit deeper into the socket will be met by resistance from spring 33.

It will be noted that no movement is experienced by the igniting unit, upon breaking of the circuit dueto functioning of the thermostatic means, and therefore there is no liability of said unit being thrust from the socket to fall to the floor of the car.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for yieldingly urging the igniting unit to normal position on the holding device; and means for closing a circuit through the heating element to energize the same incident to movement of the igniting unit out of normal position, including means comprising yielding means mounted in the base for maintaining the circuit closed when the igniting unit returns to normal position by said first-named yielding means, said circuit-closing means including means responsive to the heat produced by the heating element and operative when the latter is brought to a predetermined temperature for use for opening said circuit.

2. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for yieldingly locating the igniting unit in a normal position on the holding device; means for closing a circuit through the heating element to energize the same incident to movement of the igniting unit out of normal position, including means mounted in the base of the holder and yieldable so as to maintain the circuit closed when the unit returns to its normal position under the urge of said yielding means, said circuit-closing means including means responsive to the heat produced by the heating element and operative when the latter is brought to a predetermined temperature for use for opening said circuit; and means operative upon opening of the circuit after energization of the heating element for sounding an audible signal.

3. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable frorn the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device;

a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for yieldingly locating the igniting unit in a normal position on the holding device; means for closing a circuit through the heating element to energize the same incident to movement of the igniting unit from and back to said normal position; means, including means responsive to the heat produced by the heating element and operative when the latter is brought to a predetermined temperature for use, for opening said circuit, and for preventing automatic reclosing thereof after the heat-responsive means cools off and means operative upon functioning of the heat-responsive and circuit-opening means, and made inoperative upon cooling of said heat-responsive means after said functioninggfcr sounding an audible signal.

4. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; a heating element and Contact therefor: an igniting unit carrying the heating element and attachable to and completely removable from said holder for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holder; means for yieldingly urging the igniting unit into one normal position on the holder; a contact carried by the holder and adapted to have gripping engagement with the contact of the heating element upon movement of the igniting unit on the holder a predetermined extent against said yielding means so as to cause energization of the heating element, at least one of said contacts being bimetallic and in heat-receiving relation to the heating element; means movably mounting one of said contacts to permit the return of the igniting unit to its normal position under the iniiuence of said yielding means while said contacts remain in gripping engagement; and means operating to separate said contacts against automatic reengagement upon said bimetallic contact becoming free of its cooperating contact when the heating element is heated for use.

5. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; an igniting unit attachable to and completely removable from said holder for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holder; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means including a spring carried by the igniting unit for yieldingly urging the latter into one normal position on the holder; a contact for completing an electric circuit through the heating element of the igniting unit When the latter is moved on the holder `a predetermined extent against said spring, said contact having gripping engagement with the heating element; means movably mounted on the holder for carrying said contact for movement with the igniting unit when the latter is returned by the spring to said normal position; a spring weaker than the spring carried by the igniting unit, yieldingly urging said contact and carrying means to open-circuit position; and means for automatically releasing said contact from the heating element when the igniting unit is in condition for use,

6. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; an igniting unit attachable to and completely removable from said holder for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holder; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for yieldingly urging the igniting unit to one normal position on the holder; and means actuated upon movement of the igniting unit on the holder from said normal position for closing a circuit to the heating element, including means yieldably mounted in the base of the holder for maintaining said circuit closed after the igniting unit has returned to normal position, said circuit-closing means, including means for opening the circuit through the heating element in response to heat from said element.

7. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; a heating element and contact therefor; an igniting unit carrying the heating element and attachable to and completely removable from said holder for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holder; means for yieldingly locating the igniting unit in one normal position on the holder; an electrical contact on the holder for engaging the heating element contact upon movement of the igniting unit on the holder a predetermined extent against said yielding means, to energize the heating element; means for mounting one oi said contacts for movement relatively to the holder and igniting unit; and means for maintaining the heating element and holder contacts engaged after the igniting unit is returned by the yielding means to said normal position, one of said contacts having means for causing disengagement thereof from the other contact in response to heat from said element.

8. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; a heating element and contact therefor; an igniting unit carrying the heating element and attachable to and completely removable from said holder for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holder; means for yieldingly locating the igniting unit in one normal position on the holder; an electrical contact on the holder adapted to releasably grip the heating element contact upon movement of the igniting unit on the holder a predetermined extent against said yielding means, to energize the heating element; and means, including means for mounting the holder contact for movement relatively to said holder, for maintaining the heating element and holder contacts engaged after the igniting unit has been returned by the yielding means to said normal position, one of said contacts having means for causing disengagement thereof from the other contact in response to heat from said element.

9. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; a heating element and contact therefor; an igniting unit carrying the heating element and attachable to and completely removable from said holder ior use, said igniting unit being movable on the holder; means for yieldingly locating the igniting unit in one normal position on the holder; a bimetallic contact on the holder adapted to releasably grip the heating element contact upon movement oi the igniting unit on the holder a predetermined extent against said yielding means to energize the heating element, said holder contact releasing the heating element contact in response to heat from the element; means for maintaining the heating element and holder contacts engaged after the igniting unit has been returned by the yielding means to said normal position, including a mechanism for movably carrying one o said contacts on its support; and means for causing disengagement of said heating element contact from the holder contact when the latter loosens its grip in response to heat from the element.

10. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; a heating element and contact therefor; an igniting unit carrying the heating element and attachable to and completely removable rom said holder for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holder; means for yieldingly locating the igniting unit on one normal position on the holder; an electrical contactof bimetallic material on the holder adapted to releasably grip the heating element contact upon movement of the igniting unit on the holder a predetermined extent against said yielding means, to energize the heating element; means for maintaining the heating element and holder contacts engaged after the igniting unit has been returned by the yielding means to said normal position, including mechanism movably mounting the bimetallic contact on the holder; and means for causing disengagement of said heating element contact and bimetallic holder contact When the latter responds to heat from said element by releasing its grip.

11. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; a heating element and contact therefor; an igniting unit carrying the heating element and atta-chable to and completely removable from said holder for use, said igniting unit tact upon movement of the igniting unit on the holder a predetermined extent against said yielding means, to energize the heating element; means for movably mounting o-ne of said contacts on its support; means for maintaining said heating element and holder contacts engaged after the igniting unit has been returned by the yielding means to said normal position, one of said contacts having means for causing disengagement thereof with the other contact in response to heat from the element; and means for separating said movably mounted contact against automatic reengagement with its associated contact.

12. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; a heating element and contacts therefor; an igniting unit carrying the heating element and attachable to and completely removable from said holder for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holder; means for yieldingly locating the igniting unit in one normal` position on the holder; an electrical contact on the holder adapted to releasably grip a heating element contact upon movement of the igniting unit on the holder a predetermined extent against said yielding means to energize the heating element; means including means for mounting the holder contact for movement relatively to said holder, for maintaining the heating element and holder contacts engaged after the igniting unit has been returned by the yielding means to said normal position; meansv for causing disengagement of said heating element and holder contacts in response to heat from said element; and means including means for yieldingly urging the holder contact away from the heating element contact, for separating said heating element and holder contacts against automatic reengagement.

13. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for normally urging the igniting unit to normal position on the holding device; means for closing a circuit through the heating element to energize the same upon movement of the igniting unit from said normal position; means operated by the movement of the igniting unit into circuit-closing position for giving a momentary signal to indicate that the circuit has been closed; means for maintaining the circuit closed when the igniting unit returns to its normal position in response to urging the said yielding means comprising a yieldable contact mounted in the base of the holder, said circuit-closing means including heat-responsive means responsive to the heat produced by the heating element and operative when the latter is brought to a predetermined temperature for use for opening said circuit; and means for preventing automatic reclosing of the circuit after the heat-responsive means cools off.

14. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for yieldingly urging the igniting unit to a normal position on the holding device; means including a contact for closing a circuit through the heating element to energize the same incident to movement of the igniting unit from and back toward said normal position, including means for maintaining the circuit closed When the igniting unit returns to its normal position in response to the urging of said yielding means, said last-named means including means for mounting the contact for movement relative to the holding device and igniting unit, said circuit-closing means including heatresponsive means responsive to the heat produced by the heating element and operative when the latter is brought to a predetermined temperature for use for opening said circuit; and means for preventing automatic reclosing of the circuit after the heat-responsive means cools oil.

15. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable 4on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for yieldingly urging the igniting unit to a normal position on the holding device; means including a contact for closing a circuit through the heating element to energize the same incident to movement of the igniting unit from and back toward said normal position, including means for maintaining the circuit closed when the igniting unit returns to its normal position in response to the urging of said yielding means, said last-named means including means for mounting the contact for movement relative to the holding device and igniting unit comprising a cylinder carried by the holder and a plunger carrying the contact and movable in the cylinder, said circuit-closing means including heat-responsive means responsive to the heat produced by the heating element and operative when the latter is brought to a predetermined temperature for use for opening said circuit; and means for preventing automatic reclosing of the circuit after the heat-responsive means cools off.

16. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; vmeans for yieldingly urging the igniting unit to a normal position on the holding device; means including a Contact for closing a circuit through the heating element to energize the same incident to movement of the igniting unit from and back toward said normal position, including means for maintaining the circuit closed when the igniting unit returns to its normal position in response to the urging of said yielding means, said last-named means including means for mounting the contact for movement relative to the holding device and igniting units said circuit-closing means including heat-responsive means responsive to the heat produced by the heating element and operative when the latter is brought to a predetermined temperature for use for opening said circuit; and means including means for yieldingly urging the contact toward a normally retracted open-circuit position for preventing automatic reclosing of the circuit after the heat-responsive means cools oil.

17. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holdingdevice; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means `for yieldingly urging the igniting unit to a normal position on the holding device; means including a bimetallic contact for closing a circuit through the heating element to energize the same incident to movement of the igniting unit from and back toward said normal position, including means for maintaining the circuit closed when the igniting unit returns to .its normal position in response to the urging of said yielding means, said last-named means including means for mounting the contact for movement relative to the holding device and igniting unit, said circuit-closing means including means responsive to the heat produced by the heating element and operative when the latter is brought to a predetermined temperature for use for opening said circuit; and means for yieldingly urging the contact toward a retracted normally open-circuit position.

18. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for yieldingly urging the igniting unit to a normal position on the holding device; means including a contact carried by the holding means and a contact on the holding means for closing a circuit through the heating element to energize the same incident to movement of the igniting unit from and back toward said normal position, including hooks on one of said contacts to releasably grip the other contact; means for maintaining the circuit closed when the igniting unit returns to its normal position in response to the urging of said yielding means, said lastnamed means including means for mounting the contact for movement relative to the holding device and igniting unit, said circuit-closing means including means responsive to the heat produced by the heating element and operative when the latter is brought to a predetermined temperature for use for opening said circuit; and means for preventing automatic reclosing of the circuit after the heat-responsive means cools off.

19. In a cigar lighter, a base; a manually operable member carried by the base and movable relatively thereto; means for yieldingly urging the manually operable member to one given position on the base; a heating element; means for closing a circuit through the heating element to energize same in response to movement of the operable member while out of said given position; signal means operable by the closing of the circuit to give a momentary signal to indicate that the circuit is closed; and means for maintaining the circuit closed when the Operable member returns to said given position in response to the urging of said yielding means, said means for closing the circuit also including means for opening said circuit in response to heating of the element.

20. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being manually movable on the holding device from a storage position to another position; means for yieldingly urging the igniting unit to its storage position on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing and maintaining closed a circuit through the heating element to energize same incident to movement of the igniting unit l'rom and back to said storage position, said means including a contact on the igniting unit, a second contact adapted to engage and grip the igniting unit contact, and including means for mounting said second contact on the holding device for movement relatively thereto so that it can advance With the igniting unit when engaging and gripping the Contact thereof, said second contact comprising a bimetallic heat-responsive member adapted to release the igniting unit contact in response to heat from the heating element so that the circuit therethrough is opened when the element attains a predetermined temperature; and means for yieldingly urging the second contact from its advanced position to a retracted position out of engagement with the igniting unit contact, so that when said contact ls released by the second contact the latter Will be retracted and will not again close the circuit.

2l. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable on the holding device; means for yieldingly urging the igniting unit to one given position on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; and means for closing a circuit through the heating element to energize same in response to movement of the igniting unit While out of said given position, including yieldable means for maintaining the circuit closed when the igniting unit returns to said given position in response to the urging of said yielding means, said means for closing the circuit also including means for opening said circuit 1n response to the` heat of the element.

22. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for yieldingly urging the igniting unit to a given position on the holding device; and means for closing a circuit through the heating element to encrgize the same incident to movement of the igniting unit While out of said given position, including means for maintaining the circuit closed when the unit returns to said cgiven position under the urging of said yielding means, said circuit-closing means including heat-responsive means responsive to the heat produced by the heating element and operative when the latter is brought to a predetermined temperature for use, for opening said circuit, and including means for preventing automatic reclosing of the circuit after the heat-responsive means cools ofi.

23. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for yieldingly urging the igniting unit to a normal position on the holding device; means for closing a circuit through the heating element to energize the same incident to movement of the igniting unit while out of said normal position, including means for maintaining the circuit closed when the unit returns to its normal position under the urging of said yielding means, said circuit-closing means including heat-responsive means responsive to the heat produced by the heating element and operative when the latter is brought to a predetermined temperature for use, for opening said circuit; means for preventing automatic reclosing of the circuit after the heat-responsive means cools olf; and means operative upon opening of the circuit after energization of the heating element, for closing a circuit to and sounding an audible signal.

24. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; .an igniting unit attachable to and completely removable from the holder for use, said unit being movable on the holder; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for yieldingly urging the igniting vunit to one normal position on the holder; means actuated by the igniting unit upon movement thereof on the holder from normal position for closing a circuit through the heating element, including means comprising a contact yieldably mounted in the base of the holder; and means for maintaining said contact in closed-circuit position after the igniting unit has returned to normal position, l

2o. In a cigar lighter, a base; a manually operable member carried by the base and movable relatively thereto and withdrawable therefrom; a heating element carried thereby; means ior closing a circuit through the heating element to energize the same incident to movement oi' the manually operable member, said means including a contact operable by the member, and a second contact adapted to engage said first contact; and means ior maintaining the circuit closed when the manually operable member and heating element are partially withdrawn from the base, including means for mounting one of said contacts for movement relatively to said base and operable member and in the direction of movement of the latter, said means for closing the circuit also including means for opening the circuit in response to heat from the element.

27. In a cigar lighter, a tubular holding device; an igniting unit movably carried by and completely removable from the holding device for use; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; a contact carried by the holding device; a

contact carried by the igniting unit and connected to one end of the heating element, and, when moved into engagement with said rst contact, forming a part of the energizing circuit for the heating element; means for slidably mounting one of said contacts for limited movement; retaining means for holding said contacts in engagement during movement of the igniting unit outwardly in the holding device and maintaining said circuit closed during said movement; and means, responsive to the heat from the heating element, for releasing said retaining means upon the heating element attaining a desired heat to open the circuit at said contacts, said retaining means holding the igniting unit at the outer limit of movement of the slidable contact and against removal until the heating element has attained said desired heat.

28. In a cigar lighter, a tubular holding device; an igniting unit movably carried by and completely removable from the holding device for use; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; a contact slidably carried by the holding device for limited movement therein and normally positioned adjacent the inner end thereof; a contact carried by the igniting unit and connected to one end of the heating element, and, when moved into engagement with said rst contact, forming a part of the energizing circuit for the heating element; means for yieldably connecting said contacts together, after engagement thereof, for movement as the igniting unit is moved outwardly in the holding device and maintaining said circuit closed during said movement; and means, responsive to the heat from the heating element, for releasing said connecting means upon the heating element attaining a desired heat to open the circuit at said contacts, said connecting means holding the igniting unit by the contact carried thereby at the outer limit of movement of the slidable contact and against removal until the heating element has attained said desired heat.

29. In a cigar lighter, a tubular holding device; an igniting unit movably carried by and completely removable from the holding device for use; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; a contact slidably carried by the holding device for limited movement therein; urging means for urging said contact to a normal position adjacent the inner end thereof; a contact carried by the igniting unit and connected to one end of the heating element, and, when moved into engagement with said lirst contact, forming a part of the energizing circuit for the heating element; means for yieldably connecting said contacts after engagement thereof for movement together as the igniting unit is moved outwardly in the holding device and maintaining said circuit closed during said movement, the urging means being energized during said movement to return said contact to normal position; and means, responsive to the heating of the heating element, for releasing said connecting means upon the heating element attaining a desired heat to open the circuit at said contacts, whereby the urging means moves the slidable contact to normal position, said connecting means holding the igniting unit carrying said contact at the outer limit of movement of the slidable contact and against removal until the heating element has attained said desired heat.

ARTHUR A. J OHNSON. 

